Club George: The Diary of a Central Park Bird-Watcher

by Bob Levy

Club George is a witty tale about one man's adventures with George, a particularly charismatic Red-winged Blackbird. Wryly humorous and brimming with affection for birds in general and George in particular, this book combines solid natural science with stylish prose and endearing photographs. The cast of characters includes creatures of all kinds, both human and not, and supporting roles are played by Pale Male and Lola, the famous Red-tailed Hawks whose nest was unceremoniously removed from their fancy Fifth Avenue building to a worldwide furor of protest.

Both useful and entertaining, Club George covers everything from how to buy binoculars to fascinating trivia about New York's most famous park. This amusing gem will be welcomed by book-buying bird-watchers, Central Park enthusiasts, and armchair nature lovers everywhere.

Genres: Birds

384 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2006

Reviews

[Maryanne]

Club George 12/22/2011
The Diary of a Central Park Bird-Watcher by Bob Levy
Really enjoyed it.
Club George is a witty tale about one man's adventures with George, a particularly charismatic Red-winged Blackbird. Wryly humorous and brimming with affection for birds in general and George in particular, this book combines solid natural science with stylish prose and endearing photographs. The cast of characters includes creatures of all kinds, both human and not, and supporting roles are played by Pale Male and Lola, the famous Red-tailed Hawks whose nest was unceremoniously removed from their fancy Fifth Avenue building to a worldwide furor of protest.
Both useful and entertaining, Club George covers everything from how to buy binoculars to fascinating trivia about New York's most famous park. This amusing gem will be welcomed by book-buying bird-watchers, Central Park enthusiasts, and armchair nature lovers everywhere.


After being downsized out of his corporate career, Levy found solace in New York City's Central Park, where he was astonished to encounter a red-winged blackbird that had learned to use humans as an easy source of food. The bird was named George by a group of admirers whom Levy quickly joined, and in this chatty and sometimes witty book, the neophyte bird watcher tells of his Sundays (and other days) in the park with George, hand feeding him and studying his habits. Fascination with one bird led to attempts to get to know others, including a downy woodpecker and a mallard with a broken beak. He describes them and includes tips on bird identification books and binoculars. Levy's enthusiasm is appealing, but his discussion of hand feeding birds is problematic: watching wild birds is one thing; teaching them to trust humans is another—he mentions two incidents in which George's lack of fear of humans nearly resulted in disaster for the bird, but Levy never seriously addresses the question of whether the kind of interactions he implicitly encourages is in the best interest of wildlife. It's also a shame that the 72 photos are b&w; bird lovers would undoubtedly want them in glorious color. (Mar. 7)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.


George is a red-winged blackbird, resident of a small pond in New York's Central Park. Levy was involuntarily unemployed, and Central Park became his place to seek solace. When an acquaintance introduced him to George, a particularly demanding bird that would take food from his^B hand, the nonbirder Levy was immediately converted. His book grew out of his increasingly lengthy notes and journal keeping. Beginning in April and ending in July, the narrative follows one breeding season around George's pond and in other areas of the park. Levy's writing style is fresh and intimate; when he observes a behavior he doesn't understand, he not only expresses his curiosity but also satisfies it by quoting from researchers on the subject. This delightful mix of the^B quizzical and scientific will engage the reader and painlessly teach quite a bit of ornithology. Popular science writing at its best, and highly recommended.


This is one of the most enjoyable "birder" books I've read in years. The author writes with a delightful sense of humor; if you don't find yourself chuckling over something at least every couple of pages, better check your pulse! Even if you can barely tell the difference between a cardinal and a bluejay, you will enjoy this book; anyone with more than a casual interest in birds will absolutely love it,


Humans can learn much from bird behavior, and this book provides a very entertaining glimpse into the social and biological world of our feathered friends. Whether or not you are a bird watcher, you will enjoy Bob Levy's easy yet intellectual and witty writing style, and you may be very surprised to discover how closely their stories of love, survival, triumph and tragedy parallel the human condition. Levy makes excellent and timely references to insights from legendary bird experts Sibley, Yasakawa, and others to explain the 'why' behind his sometimes puzzling observations. When faced with limited resources, environmental challenges, life- or lifestyle-threatening conflict or other Darwinian forces, the birds' adaptation and response leaves this mere human in awe...

[Carly Guido · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly not a memorable book, and reads like the speaker is using big words to sound smart. I like the concept of a birding diary to share cool bird encounters but unless you already bird it's probably not fun to read, especially if you aren't familiar with birds. Plus I don't necessarily agree with the birding 'instructions' the author gives. I do like the encouragement the reader is given to go out and look for themself though. However made me wanna go to Central Park hehe

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you thought that Central Park was devoid of interest to any naturalist, you would be wrong. It’s a microcosm for wildlife, in the midst of a city that’s pretty unwelcoming in terms of habitat, otherwise. Bob Levy, amateur bird-watcher, has probably seen a lot of species in Central Park that others haven’t seen in more rural areas. The birds, too, in Central Park, seem to be rather unique – or at least they’ve learned to live in close proximity with human beings, and to accept some of the niceties that such proximity affords. Many bird-watching enthusiasts come to the park every day to feed the birds as well as watch them, and some of these wild species are willing to be hand fed or are less shy of humans than their wild-er relations. I’m hoping that this behavior doesn’t mean that their instincts have been dulled, or that they’ve made them too trusting of humans.

Bob’s diary is just that – a collection of his daily birding excursions in Central Park, and most particularly of his interactions and observations of a particular Red-Winged Blackbird, who he comes to call “George.” There are some tips for new birders thrown in on how to select binoculars, dressing for the weather, and amateur photography. The pictures aren’t all that great, and all of them are in black and white, so if you are new to bird-watching, you don’t get a very good sense of the spectacular plumage (beautiful plumage!) of some of these wild birds. Because it’s a diary, though, chapters tend to be pretty short, and you will feel like you’re racing through it.

Some of the stories are really interesting, but Bob often anthropomorphizes his subjects a bit too much – ascribing emotions or intentions that may not really be there at all. He’s obviously an avid watcher by the end of his journal, and his enthusiasm is contagious. I’m not sure exactly who the audience for this should be…other amateur birders, perhaps or newbies, will find this most entertaining. Hardcore experienced birders will probably want to pass it up – they’ve got their own hobby to pursue and they’ll know all of this stuff.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting experiences with nature in NYC's Central Park, a particular bird, in fact.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

not particularly well written but Levy's enthusiasm for and dedication to his new-found passion for birds is endearing.